Rome, Italy, Oct 14, 2013 / 08:26 am
In his daily homily Pope Francis examined Christ's interaction with the pharisees in the day's Gospel reading, stressing that pious works without love are empty.
During the Oct. 10 liturgy at St. Martha's residence, the Pope centered his reflections on the "Sign of Jonah," which Jesus refers to in Luke's Gospel narrative.
He noted that when Jesus speaks of the "wicked generation," he is not referring to those who have followed him out of love, but rather pointing to the religious officials who are trying to test him and lead him into a trap.
Pope Francis spoke specifically of the pharisees who demanded that Jesus perform signs, which the Lord responded to by stating that he alone would give the "Sign of Jonah," just as Jonah himself had become a sign to the Ninevites.